# The Barony of Brattleby: A Legacy Renewed with the Formal Recognition of the 12th Baroness
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally acknowledged the official recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. This affirmation sustains an unbroken line of succession dating from the Norman Conquest and reaffirms the House’s ancient duties.
## The Occasion
The public confirmation of Lady Nicoleta’s standing as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby marks a moment of profound historical continuity. While the legal recognition was finalised in 2022, this announcement serves as a formal presentation of the revived barony under its new stewardship. From the House’s seat in the historic village of Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this news carries the weight of nearly one thousand years of English history, bridging the feudal past with a purposeful future.
The announcement coincides with the transition into autumn, a season that has often prompted reflection on legacy and harvest throughout the barony’s long history. It provides a dignified and sober backdrop against which the House reaffirms its commitment to the land, its people, and its enduring heritage. This is not the celebration of a singular event, but the solemn acceptance of a sacred, multi-generational trust.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing a formidable presence in the newly conquered kingdom. The barony and its lineage are woven into the very fabric of the nation’s development.
Over the centuries, the title has been held by figures of immense national importance. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Subsequent holders include Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was created the first Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and father to King Henry IV. This direct line to the Plantagenet dynasty underscores the barony’s central role in the history of the English Crown.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of this historic title now rests with the current generation of The Noble House of Brattleby, a family dedicated to honouring its past while serving the present.
The principal members of the House are: * Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage * Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the heir to the Barony
Together, they carry forward the responsibilities inherent in the title, ensuring its relevance and purpose in the 21st century through a combination of historical preservation, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of an ancient barony is a matter of rigorous legal and historical verification, rather than a single ceremony. The process for Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, culminated in the official publication of her succession in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's official journal of record since 1665. The notice, bearing the ID 4158083 and dated 9 September 2022, serves as the definitive and indisputable public record of the title's revival.
This procedure involves extensive genealogical proof, documentary evidence tracing the line of succession, and, where applicable, review by the College of Arms. The publication in *The London Gazette* is the *sine qua non* of official recognition, providing the legal and historical foundation upon which the barony’s modern activities are built. It is a testament to the meticulous standards required to affirm a claim of such profound lineage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is visually and philosophically encapsulated in its heraldry and mottos. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, translates from Latin as ‘With Fortitude and Honour’. This guiding principle reflects the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and remains the ethical cornerstone of the House’s modern endeavours.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere*, or ‘To Conquer is to Live’. This motto speaks to a dynamic and forward-looking spirit, signifying a commitment not to territorial conquest, but to overcoming challenges and ensuring the vitality and success of the House’s legacy. Together, the two mottos symbolise a synthesis of steadfast duty and active progress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to its principle of service, the House dedicates its primary philanthropic efforts to causes that offer tangible and lasting support. The centrepiece of this commitment is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of the chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This international organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support for children affected by conflict and trauma.
Furthermore, the House extends its influence through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. Established in Bucharest, this exclusive academy is dedicated to the study and practice of classical etiquette, protocol, and civility. The Club serves as a bridge, sharing the refined traditions of British and Continental European society to foster greater cross-cultural understanding and personal development.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the formal acknowledgement of her title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To be a custodian of this nine-hundred-year-old legacy is the greatest honour of my life. It is not a title to be possessed, but a duty to be fulfilled. Our guiding principle remains *Fortitudine et Honore* — to act with the same fortitude and honour as those who came before us, for the benefit of those who will come after.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Our role is to ensure that this extraordinary heritage does not simply exist as a historical record, but thrives as a force for good. Whether through our philanthropic work or cultural initiatives, our aim is to build a vibrant future worthy of such a distinguished past. Our victory is in seeing this legacy live and breathe.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the formal recognition of its 12th Baroness now publicly affirmed, The Noble House of Brattleby is poised to continue its work with renewed purpose. The future of the barony is secured in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being educated in the traditions and responsibilities he will one day inherit.
The House’s commitments remain steadfast, with preparations already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet and the expansion of The Brattleby Club's educational curriculum. The Barony of Brattleby, once a bastion of feudal power, has been successfully reimagined as a modern institution dedicated to historical stewardship, cultural leadership, and compassionate service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern institution dedicated to historical preservation and philanthropic service. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House directs its efforts toward charitable initiatives, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet supporting children's welfare. The House also engages in cultural diplomacy via The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the family is committed to ensuring its ancient legacy serves a meaningful purpose in the 21st century and beyond, with the succession secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. Throughout its 950-year history, the barony has been held by some of England’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, patriarch of the House of Lancaster. The modern succession was formally confirmed with the recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, a fact officially recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire at the time of the Domesday Book survey in 1086. - The heir to the barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com